HEINZ JOSEF LENZ, M.D.
USA

“I am a physician-scientist known for my pioneering work on the pharmacogenomics of GI cancers and leading to the design of prospective trials using biomarkers we have identified in DNA repair, angiogenesis, immune pathways and EGFR signaling.  We have amassed significant expertise in early drug development taking advantage of our extensive preclinical models with cancer organoids and PDX models. We have also incorporated our expertise in biomarkers such as single cell classification, Circulating Tumor Cells, ctDNA and molecular classification of colon cancer into clinical trial designs. I hope that the new substance arfolitixorin will improve outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.”

Heinz Josef Lenz, M.D., FACP, is the Associate Director for Clinical Sciences, Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine and J.Terrence Lanni Chair for Cancer Research at the Keck School of Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Southern California. Dr Lenz is an active researcher and focuses on topics including the identification of novel targets, early drug development, regulation of gene expression involved in drug resistance, patients at high risk of developing colorectal cancer, new methods of early detection, and better surveillance of these cancers and his laboratory has been long and continuously funded by NIH and NCI. He is a member of several professional societies, including the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Gastroenterology Association. Dr. Lenz is the author of over 430 peer-reviewed publications and invited papers, reviews, and editorials. He also serves as Chair of the Translational Medicine Committee in the SWOG GI Committee  He is a member of the NCI Task Force for Gastroesophageal Cancer, the NCI Investigational Drug Committee and the NCI Translational Science Committee. During the past 20 years he has mentored 40 Postdoctoral Research Scholars, Oncology Fellows and 15 Pre-Med and Graduate Students.